Baby Book Club

05/24/2013

I'm pretty sure Jude could happily be read to all day long. He loves to climb into my lap with a big stack of books. And I love it too. Reading stories is one of our favorite pastimes. Unfortunately, I can't read to him all day long. That's were audio books come in. Jude loves his ever growing collection of read aloud books and so do I. They buy this mama a nice little chunk of quiet time, and I've found they make errand running much more pleasant as well. Plus, they carry a pretty hefty dose of nostaligia, even if CD's aren't as cool as little orange records.

1. Frog and Toad Are Friends - A classic read by the author. This one has the fun little chimes when it's time to turn the page. I love these stories, and they really come to life when read aloud.

2. Corduroy -
A sweet story with lots of extras. I've always loved the story of Corduroy and so does Jude. His favorites are the bonus bear facts and songs that follow the reading. I find the singing a little comical (lots of vibrato), but Jude digs it so I'm down.

3. Pickles to Pittsburgh -
This is the sequel to one of our favorites, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It's a great story about helping others, and it is very well read.

4. Skippyjon Jones, Lost in Spice - Skippy Jon is another favorite around here, all the more because the hardcover books all come with a CD of the author reading the story. Of all the books in the series, Lost In Spice is a particularly good one.

5. Micawber -
What could be better than reading this lovely story? Why, listening to the author, John Lithgow, read it of course! This was another score, the CD comes with the book, and Jude has loved it from a very early age.

Not sure if your little one will be into listening to a CD instead of you? I have found our local library to be an awesome resource for audio books for kids, so try a few out. You might just find the perfect way to grab a few moments of peace, all while strengthening your little one's reading muscles.

Here's to educational quiet.

P.S. - After failing to find a "kid" CD player that seemed worth the money, we just dug out an old walkman,
and Jude has been able to work it just fine. Please use caution when mixing kids and cords.

01/14/2013

First of all, I have a confession to make: we are far from a screen-free family. While we do have limits on screen time, Jude watches a little TV after dinner, and my ipad has more than one kid app on it. That said, I believe there is nothing quite as extrodinary as that little piece of low-tech media we call a book. These books have all the excitement of the latest app, no batteries required. They are also extra special because they hold Jude's attention without someone reading to him. As I have mentioned before, solo-activities with staying power are highly prized around here, and these five titles buy me precious minutes while stimulating Jude's noggin, it's a win-win!

1. Press Here
by Herve Tullet - There is pure genius in the simplicity of this book. Tap, count, shake, turn the page ... magic happens!

2. Look! A Book!
by Bob Staake - Basically a way cooler version of Where's Waldo. I must admit, I love this book just as much as Jude. The illustrations are just plain rad and often hilarious. Plus, there are cut outs between pages that make it extra special.

3. Look! Another Book!
by Bob Staake - Because one is not enough. Jude will pour over these pages for long stretches at a time. And the way the cut-outs reveal things helps little ones feel as though they are "reading".

4. Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs
by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart - Elaborate and beautiful pop-ups with loads of info and bonus mini pop-ups on each page, this is the book that keeps on giving.

5. The Wheels on the Bus
by Paul Zelinsky - Levers to pull and a song to sing, plus gorgeous illustrations, this gem never gets old.

06/12/2012

So would you like to know which books I can currently recite from memory?

These five books are getting lots of attention these days, I think some of the others are a little jealous (don't worry, those are still well loved). The pages of these books have been turned more times than one would care to count (especially the first pick; it was mine for goodness sake), but the enthusiasm for what is on them has yet to fade. As with all Baby Book Club posts, I only feature books that Jude and I both like. (You will never see Brown Bear, Brown Bear reviewed here.) So without further ado, here's the low down on what we've been reading at least once a day:

11/07/2011

Welcome to another installment of the Small & Friendly no obligation Baby Book Club. Today's theme is friendship. There are two books that Jude and I can't get enough of lately, and they both emphasize the beauty and importance of good friends.

Jude loves it because: there's an elephant. And so many great things to find within the illustrations.

Mom loves it because: the illustrations and story are both beautiful and touching.

I will admit that these stories are a little more involved and perhaps best for a toddler, but I'm sticking with "Baby Book Club" because I like how it sounds. If you are looking for a recommendation for the under one set, I think this set of lift-the-flap books is where it's at. Jude still loves them. And Where is Baby's Mommy? cracks me up because (spoiler alert!) mommy is hiding under the covers, ha!... well played, mommy, well played.

Have you read these books, and if so, did you like them? Do you have a favorite friendship book?

06/08/2011

Welcome to another installment of Baby Book Club. This time I thought I'd skip over some of the other category options and cut straight to the chase: The Favorites. Jude is very good at making his preferences clear and book selection is no exception. Many books pass in and out of his favor, but there are a few that he has loved since the start and never seems to tire of. These are his desert island picks. I can, of course, recite them without a glance at the page, but somehow I never tire of them either.

1. The Hipster Choice: For Just One Day by Laura Leuck, illustrated by Marc Boutavant

Jude loves it because: each page turn is exciting, it rhymes, and the mirror at the end never disappoints.

Mom loves it because: the illustrations are terrific, the story is sweet, and it's fun to read.

2. The Poetic Choice: All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Nikki McClure

Jude loves it because: the illustrations draw him in and the poem has a great, calm pace.

Mom loves it because: the illustrations are gorgeous, and the poem is a beautiful reminder for all who read it, parents and kids alike.

3. The Scholarly Choice: Micawber by John Lithgow, illustrated by C. F. Payne

Jude loves it because: the illustrations delight him, and the story facisnates him, extravagant vocabulary and all.

Mom loves it because: it is more challenging, and therefore interesting to read, and it is impossible not to smile at the pictures.

Does your toddler have a few books he/she couldn't live without? Have you read any of these picks? I'd love to hear from you.

03/24/2011

Jude loves books. He loves them as much as his library addicted mother and his book collecting father. We read many times a day. I have books pressed at me often, and I will never tire of the feeling of Jude curled up in my lap, even if it means reading that story again. With this love in mind, I wanted to share some of his very favorites with you. There are many great resources for toddler age reading lists. I found this one on Sew Liberated and this one on Prudent Baby very helpful. My plan is to introduce a few of our favorites at a time, and I would love to hear your suggestions and input too. It'll be kind of like a no-obligation Baby Book Club.

I thought we'd do this Chuck Palahniuk style and begin at the end...of the day that is. Bedtime stories, the ones that end with goodnight. Bedtime stories have been part of our go-to-sleep routine from the start, and while we don't always read a "bedtime" specific book before bed, there are a few on regular rotation.

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